Pastors leave a legacy of love

Published 11:40 am, Friday, April 27, 2012

Pastors Doug and Pam Runyan served Lake Houston Church for nearly 13 years.

Pastors Doug and Pam Runyan served Lake Houston Church for nearly 13 years.

Pastors leave a legacy of love

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For nearly 13 years, the congregation of Lake Houston Church in Atascocita was served and loved by Pastors Doug and Pam Runyan. They had been called to pastor the church in 1999 following 10 years as missionaries in Africa.

Now they have answered a new call to serve in Oklahoma City.

In a video made for and sent to members of the church to announce his decision to resign, Doug explained how difficult the decision was for them.

“It has been very difficult to keep an open mind since we wanted nothing more than for God to confirm that we were to remain at Lake Houston Church — a place that has been home for us since we returned to the U.S. from Africa in 1999,” he said.

“However, God has made it undeniably clear that after 13 years of sharing life and ministry with God’s people of Lake Houston Church we are to move to Oklahoma City Trinity Church, a Church of the Nazarene located on the south side of Oklahoma City, Okla.”

On April 15, Doug climbed the stairs of the stage and preached his final sermon at the church on FM 1960.

The Runyans left their mark on the church family. Their ministry will be their legacy.

Doug was the kind of pastor who knew the name of every person in the congregation, and made sure he spoke to every new face he saw. He spent time visiting people in the hospital and praying by bedsides.

“He has such a unique understanding of people and their needs, and he loves them. That’s just who he is,” said Bill Schmidt.

While Doug could be considered the head of the church, he was also the heart.

“He has a heart for the lost - one more soul for Jesus,” added Suzy Schmidt. “We were very blessed to have him for 13 years, but he’s within God’s purpose.”

Doug’s wife, Pam, epitomized the hands and feet of Jesus. She took food to people who were sick or hurt, or who were without. She mentored women in the church. And she was heavily involved in ministry of all kinds.

“She is the most sincere person - a prayer warrior. She’s so close to God, and she’s genuine,” said Suzy. “Her greatest attribute is love. And that doesn’t even begin to describe her.”

In honor of Doug’s sense of humor - or attempts at humor, anyway - the church gave the Runyans a send-off their last Sunday after the service worthy of a few laughs. Doug was put in the hot seat and roasted. He and everyone else exercised their laughing muscles that afternoon.

“I remember his first Sunday,” said Ted Boulet, a member of the church staff. “He got up, welcomed everyone and said, ‘Would the first-time offenders please stand up?’”

Others shared similar stories. Despite the hilarity, though, everyone had something good to say about their pastor.

While the festivities took on a lighthearted overtone, the day was bittersweet. No one wanted to see the Runyans leave.

In the absence of a lead pastor, the church’s associate pastor and children’s pastor, Philip Allred, will serve as interim lead pastor until the church board finds the right person to serve in the position full time. At the Runyans’ farewell celebration, Allred summed up the congregation’s feelings.

“We’re sad to see Doug and Pam leave, but we wish them all the best. We pray for their new church, Trinity Church in Oklahoma City, and for blessings for Doug and Pam in their new home.”

The Runyans thanked the church one last time, and encouraged the members to continue to seek God’s will and to step up to help where there is a need.

Then Doug, not one for good-byes, simply told the congregation, “See you at the House.”